Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Kuwait'

In this study, I focus on the changing gender relationships between women and men and on women’s political rights in Kuwaiti society in particular. Specifically, I measure Kuwaiti citizens’ attitudes toward Kuwaiti women in political roles after Kuwaiti women gained their political rights, especially after May 16, 2005. Gender relationships continue to change, and in order to understand these changes it is important to examine the current cultural context in which they are occurring. This context includes political change, cultural development, the impact of the media and economic systems, as well as changing laws, religions, socialization, and globalization. All of these factors influence gender relations in Kuwaiti society. This study focuses specifically on the way that political ideology and perceptions about gender roles impact attitudes toward political efficacy for women in Kuwait. This study focuses on Kuwaiti citizens’ attitudes and perceptions about women’s political rights and changing gender relationships in Kuwaiti society. The study uses survey data based on a random sampling of students at Kuwait University, along with the snowball technique for the general population, taken from Kuwaiti employees in public businesses. The data measure the attitudes of both of these populations towards Kuwaiti women’s political rights.
Department of Sociology

This thesis addresses the archaeology of Kuwait from 13000BC to the 18th century AD, to further understand its significances within the Arabian Gulf and wider world. Kuwait has witness many diverse cultures By comparing for the first time the archaeology, geography, and historical sources, I illustrate that this region has been continual inhabited and used as an important hub of social networks since its beginnings. By introducing the Ubaid civilization and their relations with other regions, we witness the first exchange and trade strategies in Kuwait. By looking at the burial mound phenomenon in Kuwait we witness a hiatus of permanent settlements and a time when people were more nomadic. The impact of these mounds resonated into later periods. Petroleum based substances play a key role in modern Kuwait; the Ubaid and the Dilmun first developed the usage of bitumen, and here we see how that created links with others in the world. Ideas move as well as people, and I demonstrate the proto-Hellenistic and Hellenistic periods in Kuwait to illustrate influences from the Mediterranean. Modern Kuwait is Islamic, and here we will investigate how and why and the speeds at which Christianity gave way to Islam, and the impacts of a different religion on the region. In highlighting Kuwait’s past, I show how the state became one of the most democratic and diverse places in the Arabian Gulf.

Workplace bullying (WPB) is a pervasive problem in contemporary society, inflicting detrimental repercussions upon employees, employers, and organizations alike. It affects the physical, psychological, and financial wellbeing not only of its victims, but also their families, their communities, and society as a whole. Research into this phenomenon has evolved significantly over the past two decades. While related to the physically violent phenomenon of schoolyard bullying, WPB is primarily a psychological phenomenon, manifesting as abusive power in workplace relationships, rather than as interpersonal conflict. Bullying at work comes in many forms, has many faces, and occurs in many places. It ranges from subtle to overt acts, with subtle forms occurring more regularly. The rubric of bullying can include: harassment, mobbing, scapegoating, social exclusion, repudiation, humiliation, and/or workplace mistreatment or abuse. Corresponding to a lack of attention on bullying among adults, WPB seems to occur everywhere—from businesses and factories to colleges and hospitals. To address this phenomenon, this study a) explored the prevalence of WPB in Kuwait and its association with employee demographics, b) evaluated the sample’s views regarding professional social workers in the workplace, and c) explored the relationship between these variables and absenteeism. This non-experimental, quantitative study employed a cross-sectional survey with correlational analyses and prediction research designs. Using the snowball sampling method via social media platforms, the researcher distributed the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) survey and a demographic questionnaire to an anonymous, non-randomized sample of employees. The target sample included any adult, volunteer participant who was working in Kuwait for at least six months before receiving the survey. From a total of 8,531 recorded surveys, 3,725 surveys with missing data and 119 surveys that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded, leaving 4,687 (53.9%) complete surveys used for the analysis. The majority of participants were males ranging between 30-39 years old. The vast majority were Kuwaiti, married, bachelor degree graduates, employed in lower-level positions within the governmental sector, earning 800-1,399 KD monthly income. Seventy percent of targets were dissatisfied with management, compared to 50% of the general participants. Similarly, 50% of targets were dissatisfied with their daily supervisors, compared to 35% of the general participants. Around two-thirds of both targets and general participants agreed with the importance of having a social worker or psychologist at the workplace to address WPB. The vast majority of targets were bullied by their immediate superiors (50%) or other superiors (45%). Based on a criterion of a minimum of three negative acts monthly, the results of this study indicated a 39% prevalence rate of WPB in Kuwait. This percentage corresponded with the percentage of the targets who labeled themselves as victims. Regarding demographics, a large majority of targets reported being bullied by someone of the opposite gender. Among female targets, 92.7% were bullied by male perpetrators, and among male targets, 82.8% were bullied by female perpetrators. Females were more often reported as perpetrators, and males more often as targets. Non-Kuwaiti employees, the young, the divorced, those working in low-level positions, and those earning low income had the highest rate of exposure to WPB. Regarding prediction, those more likely to experience WPB included: females, the young, non-Kuwaiti employees, and workers in middle-level positions with low education or low income, who were dissatisfied with management, their daily supervisors, or their own jobs, and those who expressed a need for a counselor in the workplace. In terms of predicting WPB-related absenteeism, males, the divorced, and those working in lower-level positions with low income, low education, dissatisfaction with their job, or dissatisfaction with their daily supervisors were more likely to report high absenteeism. The high rate of WPB has implications in the workplace, calling for concerted efforts to identify the elements that trigger and escalate WPB. This study was the first of its kind to measure such elements of WPB in Kuwait. By using the NAQ-R scale, the demographic questionnaire, and a modified operational definition of WPB, this study has provided a template for needed research in the Arabian Gulf region.

This thesis is focused on examining the extent to which contextual factors may influence the resource recovery process as a work-family conflict resolution strategy for female Kuwaiti teachers within the Kuwaiti context. Defining the main strategy that Kuwaiti female teachers use to reduce stress and to restore their resources, and illustrating the difficulties surrounding this strategy are the most important aims of this thesis. The institutional logics theory was used in the study as part of the social constructionist epistemology. As a theory, it has become a popular framework for examining the processes of maintaining social behaviour (Scott, 2008), because societies’ core institutions are the fundamental and major institutions, which can influence and shape individual and organizational processes (Friedland and Alford, 1991). In order to establish a theoretical framework which can answer the research questions, the role of meaning and logics concepts was considered. The framework was used as a research tool that examines the cultural elements within the resource recovery process in the Kuwaiti context. Because of the tenets of the social constructionist epistemology, qualitative methods (in the form of 33 semi-structured interviews) were used in order to determine the participants’ perspectives about the research topic, and to gain more understanding of how and why they reached the given perspectives (King, 2004). The analysis process revealed that the participants have specific cultural understanding about what is defined as resources and demands. Another conclusion is that some recovery activities may seem as universal but in this research and according to the study’s participants they still have cultural (religious) meanings that may be considered as motivation to such activities. Moreover, they tend to change the usual demand to be a recovery activity. Therefore, a vital implication of the study is that examining the recovery process requires more attention to the cultural factors and a deep examination of the study’s context.

This research focuses on the influence of institutions on entrepreneurship among Kuwaiti youth. It aims to capture the role played by institutions on youth entrepreneurship at the backdrop of a dampening ‘spirit’ for it. This research is currently very important due to various economic and geo-political factors leading to an economic downturn, which has led to the need for entrepreneurial ventures. It reviews and consolidates concepts and factors purported to facilitate and increase entrepreneurship for the benefit of the society and economy of Kuwait. This research uses a social constructionist approach to make sense of how institutions influence Kuwaiti youth in their quest to become entrepreneurs. It exposes institutional endorsement and legitimacy from formal and informal institutions. It shows the use of regulative, normative and cognitive dimensions and influences on entrepreneurial intentions and actions. This research shows how institutions interact with Kuwaiti youth and what role they play in the formulation of intentions and actions concerning entrepreneurship. A number of key formal and informal institutions have come to the fore that influence one another (in)directly as living entities, and likewise influence the youth (in)directly. The research contribution also shows that young people have to approach some key institutions and in return their desire to become entrepreneurs is strengthened or weakened depending on how institutions respond and what role they are willing to play in their lives.

Introduction: Kuwait, a country situated in the Middle East, is one of the most urbanised countries in the world and with a large proportion of young people. The government of Kuwait has acknowledged the importance of understanding the needs of its youth population in its current healthcare policy focusing on three main health issues: overweight/obesity, tobacco and cannabis use, and general mental and psychological health. However, little is currently known about the health status of its young people due to the limited epidemiological data at a national and city level. As Kuwait is considered part of the Arab States, it is essential to understand the cultural and social dynamics shared by young people living in the region. Objectives: To describe, compare and summarise the urban health profile of the youth population in the State of Kuwait, aged 14-16 years, in two Kuwaiti cities: Kuwait City (an affluent city with high economic activity) and Jahra (a less affluent, more deprived city), with a focus on the three urban health topics highlighted in the current Kuwaiti healthcare policy: overweight/obesity, tobacco smoking and cannabis use, and general psychological health. The urban health issues found in young people in Kuwait City and Jahra, Kuwait were compared to the findings in European cities in the EURO-URHIS2 study in 15 youth urban health indicators. Methods: Validated and standardised urban health indicator (UHI) questionnaires, specifically designed for young people, were adopted from a large European Health Survey (EURO-URHIS2 project) developed to collect relevant and comparable data on the health and its determinants in young people residing in cities. The EURO-URHIS2 youth questionnaire was translated to the Arabic language and piloted in schools in Kuwait prior to conducting the survey. Data were collected in a classroom setting in Kuwait City and Jahra, Kuwait. Results: Comparisons of urban health profiles for young people in Kuwait City and Jahra: 530 students were surveyed in Kuwait City and 527 in Jahra. Significant socio-economic status differences (measured by Family Affluence Scale) were observed between the two cities, with students in Kuwait City reporting higher family affluence scores than in Jahra. Compared to Kuwait City, young people in Jahra reported an overall poorer urban health profile and significant differences were observed in health status, lifestyle factors and environmental factors. The poor health situation, both in terms of health and determinants of health, was more apparent in girls in Jahra compared to girls in Kuwait City. Priority Urban Health Indicators for Kuwaiti public health policy: Overall, a very high proportion of students from both cities (approximately 60%) were found to be overweight and obese, and approximately one third of students in both cities were obese. Unhealthy dietary factors were widespread in both cities, particularly in the high consumption of sugar-rich products and fizzy drinks and the low consumption of fruit and vegetables. In both cities, only 1 in 3 students reported regular consumption of fruit and less than half of all students reported regular consumption of salads and vegetables. Consumption of fizzy drinks and sugar-rich food products was significantly higher in Jahra than in Kuwait City. Low engagement in physical activity was widely reported in both cities, with less than 1 in 10 students engaging in the WHO recommended daily physical activity. In Kuwait City, students that engaged in weekly vigorous or 60 minutes of daily physical activity were significantly less likely to be obese. Additionally, obese students in Kuwait City were significantly more likely to perceive their health as poor. Smoking appeared to be predominantly an issue for boys rather than girls in both Jahra (OR=11.05) and Kuwait City (OR=9.80). Half of the boys in both cities reported smoking tobacco in the past and approximately 1 in 5 were daily tobacco smokers. In both cities, students that self-reported living in an area with crime, violence and vandalism were approximately 90% more likely to have ever smoked tobacco. In Jahra, elevated risk of psychological distress (measured by SDQ scores) was independently associated with (ever) smoking. While cannabis use was highlighted as a Kuwaiti government public health priority, only 3% of students reported using cannabis in the past in both cities. In terms of mental health, self-reported psychosomatic symptoms were significantly more common in Jahra compared to Kuwait City. Elevated risk of psychological distress was reported two-fold higher in Jahra than in Kuwait City, with the highest proportion reported in girls in Jahra (27%). Girls were 66% more likely than boys to be at an elevated risk of psychological distress in Jahra. Students that were victims of bullying were more likely to report an elevated risk of psychological distress in both cities. Environmental indicators, such as living in an area with crime and violence and exposure to severe noise, were independently associated with psychological distress in Jahra. An extremely high proportion of youths in both cities reported suffering from low back pain (LBP) in the past month and this was significantly more pronounced in Jahra (75%) compared to Kuwait City (64%). Gender was independently associated with LBP in Jahra, with girls twice as likely than boys to report suffering from it. In both cities, elevated risk of psychological distress was independently associated with LBP. The presence of other psychosomatic symptoms was significantly associated with LBP in Kuwait City. In Jahra, environmental indicators continued to carry an importance with students that lived in an area with crime/violence were significantly more likely to suffer from low back pain. Comparing the findings in Kuwait City and Jahra with the EURO-URHIS2 project: In terms of health status UHIs (self-perceived health, psychological distress, psychosomatic symptoms), Kuwait City appeared to show a similar picture to that of the EURO-URHIS2 project average for young people, with the exception of LBP where it was reported higher than in Europe. Jahra students presented with higher rates of adverse health status attributes than Kuwait City and the European mean, with Jahra girls reporting higher rates than boys. For UHIs in lifestyle factors, the overall prevalence of self-reported physical activity was lower in Kuwait City and Jahra than in the European mean in the EURO-URHIS2 project and the prevalence appeared to be considerably lower in girls for both cities compared to Europe. Regular fruit consumption was lower in Jahra and Kuwait City than the European mean, while regular vegetable/salad consumption was similar to the European mean in Jahra but lower in Kuwait City. With regards to daily tobacco smoking, the prevalence in Kuwait City and Jahra appeared to be similar to the European mean for boys only, while the prevalence for this UHI was lower than the European mean for girls in both cities. There were clear environmental UHI differences between Kuwait City, Jahra and European cities. While crime, violence and vandalism were self-reported higher in Jahra compared to Kuwait City, the prevalence was lower than the European mean. Bullying appeared to be more of an issue in Jahra, (and to a lesser extent in Kuwait City) compared to Europe, particularly in the high prevalence reported by girls. The proportion of students who were involved in a road traffic accident in both cities was slightly higher than the European mean. Conclusions: Young people in Jahra, particularly girls, face poorer health status in many key urban health indicators compared to Kuwait City. The findings of this research in young people present a similar picture of the social and gender inequalities observed in the limited epidemiological data on the adult Kuwaiti population in Jahra compared to Kuwait City. As the current Kuwaiti Healthcare Legislative Plan is being revised in 2019, there is a need to address the main findings observed in this research for public health policy indicators (overweight/obesity, tobacco use and mental health). With regards to the alarming rates of obesity, two possible drivers in determining childhood obesity need to be addressed through policy in Kuwait: unhealthy dietary intake and low engagement in physical activity.
Policy efforts should aim to reduce population BMI, using measures such as improving 'nutritional literacy', school and family-focused behavioural interventions. Considering the findings presented in this research for tobacco use, efforts to tackle its use in young people should remain a priority for public health policy in implementing effective tobacco strategies, both in terms of upstream and downstream interventions. There is a need to address the lack of implementation of anti-smoking laws, including package warnings and anti-tobacco advertising, and smoking cessation programmes in clinical settings. For mental health, the findings of this research indicate that efforts must be made to improve the social environment, particularly in the school setting. Due to the alarming prevalence of LBP in both cities, and its known presentation as a psychosomatic symptom, this indicator should remain a focus for future research in Kuwait. Future Kuwaiti public health policy should take into consideration the observed differences between the two cities and national or targeted policies should not widen existing health inequalities. While there is a dearth of epidemiological research with respect to urban health in youths, the findings of this study could provide a baseline for future public health research in Kuwait and other Arab States.

Tribal solidarity is an important feature in the national election for Kuwaiti parliament as tribes practice it as a concrete reality through their competition with each other or with other Kuwaiti groups. By utilizing participant observation and applying the theory of interpretive anthropology, this study interprets how and why tribal members demonstrate such solidarity. In this sense, the thesis concentrates on interpreting the meanings of social actions and thoughts of these tribal members toward their collectivities and, then, on what kinds of benefits these tribal collectivities may provide. The study also indicates the interrelationships between tribal solidarity and other sociocultural systems (political, economic, psychological, social systems, etc.), which together show how tribal people modify and justify their actions and thoughts to benefit from their solidarity in the national election for parliament and other social contexts. In conclusion, Tribal solidarity is a part of large symbolic system, the Bedouin culture, which exemplifies a historical and social attachment between one and his tribe. It also reflects such political and economic benefits for members of a tribe in their daily cooperation with one another.
Department of Anthropology

Kuwait is an arid small country with a severe climate, but an interesting and diverse biological heritage. Historically Kuwait was the home for 28 mammalian, over 300 bird, and 40 reptilian species. Expanding human population and technology are increasingly altering Kuwait's natural habitat. Currently, 8 mammalian species are locally eradicated from Kuwait, but available elsewhere in the Arabian Peninsula. On the endangered list is 4 mammals, 5 birds. The status of most reptiles is unknown. A comprehensive overview of Kuwait's historic and contemporary wildlife is described. Major wildlife habitat types are identified and mapped. A conservation strategy addressing the wildlife and their habitats in Kuwait is suggested. The key to a successful strategy is habitat restoration and protection combined with legal protection of the wildlife. In addition, a program for re-introducing locally eradicated species to their historic range in Kuwait is suggested.

This thesis contributes to the literature on financial reporting in less developed countries, with special reference to the Kuwait Stock Exchange (KSE) and the Gulf Co-Operated Countries GCC area in particular. The study aims to examine the usefulness of quarterly financial reports (QFRs) to investors in Kuwait. It draws attention to the importance of quarterly accounting information and emphasises the critical theoretical and practical roles that quarterly accountings tatementsc an play in helping financial usersm ake financial decisions. The main findings indicate that quarterly financial reports in the Kuwait Stock Exchange are useful to Kuwaiti investors; however, such reports need further refinement and closer regulation in order to increase their usefulness, especially in relation to companies' expected performance and the future expectations of companies. In addition, the study shows that QFRs increase investor confidence when making and subsequently monitoring investments, evaluating management performance, making predictions about the future performance of companies, and predicting the future values of dividends and share prices. The findings also revealed that respondents believed that the prices and volumes of shares traded on the KSE are sensitive to financial information contained in QFRs. Specifically, the results indicate that company earnings, dividends payments, annual reports, quarterly reports and management experience were the most influential factors affecting purchasing attitudes and share prices. With regard to QFRs the majority of respondentsb elieved that auditor involvement in QFRs improved their reliability; however, most of the users expressed dissatisfaction with the current reporting lag of 45 days and would ideally like to see this reduced to less than 30 days. Respondents were also generally dissatisfied with current disclosures and wanted more information relating to the financial position of companies incorporated in to QFRs. Finally, the results indicate that information on the financial and capital leverage (or gearing) of the company, the risk exposure of the firm and an information on the type of industry in which the businesso perates,w ere the most likely factorst o increaset he demandf or QFRs.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2006.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-91).
Kuwait is an arid country located in the Middle East, with limited access to water resources. Yet water demand per capita is much higher than in other countries in the world, estimated to be around 450 L/capita/day. There are several reasons for such a high demand, but one is certainly the price. Water does have its pricing schedule in Kuwait, but in reality water bills are not collected. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the impact of water pricing as a tool for managing water demand. The original idea, to construct a water demand model for Kuwait, was modified because of the lack of data about the effect of price increases and household water consumption characteristics in Kuwait. So, water demand models described in the literature for several arid regions were adapted and recalibrated for Kuwait. Simulations describing the influence of block tariffs, constant prices, free allowances followed by various pricing schemes were conducted. A pricing schedule has been proposed that consists of a free allowance followed by a constant price. The proposal has the following logic: if water is consumed wisely, only to satisfy vital needs, it should be free.
(cont.) However, to limit over consumption, the quantity of water over the allowance should be priced. The results showed that this kind of pricing schedule would be efficient in significantly reducing demand. The models show that a price of water of $1/m3, after a 150L/capita/day allowance, would reduce the demand by about 35 percent (with a range of around 20-40 percent, depending on the demand model used).
by Milan Milutinovic.
M.Eng.

Prior to the Iraqi invasion and occupation, there was limited landscaping in Kuwait. Public gardens, highways, streets, governmental and private buildings had been planted to some extent. In the post invasion days the Amir of Kuwait has set a goal to beautify Kuwait by intensified landscaping. Responsibility for this Plan was given to the Public Authority for Agriculture and Fisheries (PAAF) which in turn, commissioned the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) to develop the Plan, in collaboration with PAAF staff. Currently, a Strategic and Master Plan for "Greenery" Development (1995-2010) is being prepared. The plan will consist of guidelines for the gradual landscaping of Kuwait focusing on the urban areas. The objectives of this thesis is to ensure the development of guidelines into a comprehensive body of knowledge which takes these categories into consideration: sociocultural factors, functional factors, environmental/ecological factors and aesthetic factors. It is hoped that this information could be synthesized into a thoughtful, utilitarian landscape design guideline for Kuwait.

Syftet med detta arbete var att jämföra den officiella bilden av demokrati i Kuwait, så

som den beskrivs i konstitutionen från 1962, med den bild som externa oberoende

aktörer ger vad gäller demokrati i landet. Den externa bilden hämtades från olika FN

rapporter, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International och The Bureau of

Democracy, Human Rights and Labour. Dessa kompletterades sedan med en analys

av det politiska systemet i Kuwait. Arbetet grundade sig på en demokratisk

analysmetod som utarbetats av International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and

Electoral Assistance).

Det visade sig att konstitutionen innehöll många demokratiska och individuella

rättigheter och garantier ofta i linje med IDEA:s principer. Konstitutionen beskrev

inte en fullvärdig demokrati, men många av dess komponenter fanns ändå där. Vid en

jämförelse med de externa aktörernas utsagor visade sig många av dessa rättigheter

och garantier ej fungera i praktiken. De största diskrepanserna återfanns i det civila

samhället och speciellt vad gäller yttrandefrihet, i samhället genom diskriminering av

vissa grupper och i staten genom en ofullständig demokratisk organisation av styret.

Alla dessa punkter hade långtgående garantier i konstitutionen men visade sig vid en

granskning i många fall ha förbisetts.

Samtidigt fanns några ljuspunkter. På många områden följde Kuwait konstitutionen.

På senare tid hade man även förbättrat vissa punkter. Kvinnor hade fått rösträtt,

bidoun (statslösa) hade börjat få tillgång till välfärdssystemet och ett flertal val hade

ägt rum enligt principer värdiga en demokrati. Arbetet avslutas med en fråga; Om inte

en långsam, men försiktig utveckling av demokrati så som sker i Kuwait är bättre och

mer långsiktig än dagens mer moderna snabba reformiver som ofta förs fram av USA och väst.

Oil spill is a major source of pollution in Kuwait marine environment and oil dispersants are used as a method to combat oil spill but the adverse effects of either oil or dispersed oil is unknown to fish species local to Kuwait. Therefore, the toxicity of water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of Kuwait crude oil (KCO) and chemically enhanced water-accommodated fraction (CE-WAF) of KCO with three dispersants (Corexit® 9500, Corexit® 9527 and Slickgone® NS) were investigated against selected marine fish species local to Kuwait marine waters such as: sobaity-sea bream (Sparidentex hasta), hamoor-orange-spotted grouper (Ephinephelus coicoides), meidmullet (Liza Klunzingeri), and shea’am-yellow-fin sea bream (Acanthopagrus latus). Prior to exposure chemical characterization of KCO WAF and CE-WAFs was conducted for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aliphatic and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) compounds. Standardization experiments regarding oil loading and mixing duration revealed that 1 g KCO loading and 24 h mixing duration were the most appropriate experimental conditions to obtain a reproducible and stable WAF and CE-WAF solutions. In general, CE-WAF contained higher concentrations of TPH, PAHs and aliphatics compared to KCO WAF. Exposure to KCO WAF and CE-WAF had no adverse effects on hatching success of embryonated eggs of sea bream and orange-spotted grouper exposed but larvae hatched during exposure exhibited a toxic response. Considering larval sensitivity, pre-hatched larvae of four marine fish species were separately exposed to KCO WAF and their sensitivities from the most sensitive to the least sensitive were: sea bream>orangespotted grouper > yellow-fin sea bream > mullet pre-hatched larval stages. The sensitivities of pre-hatched larvae of sea bream and orange-spotted grouper to WAF and CE-WAF were of different degrees. For sea bream the LC50 values were around 0.120 g oil/L for both WAF and CE-WAF indicating that dispersant didn’t increase oil toxicity, whereas for orange-spotted grouper CE-WAF (LC50 0.010 g oil/L) was more toxic than WAF alone (LC50 0.93 g/L). The data obtained in this study showed that most resistant developmental stage of fish to the toxicity of WAF and CE-WAFs was the egg stage > ABSTRACT ©KARAM v larvae hatched during exposure > pre-hatched larvae. Exposure of pre-hatched larvae to KCO WAF induced developmental abnormalities in spinal curvature of larvae and the most prominent deformity types were lordosis, scoliosis and kyphosis compared to that of control larvae were no abnormalities were observed. Relating toxicity data obtained in the present experimental study to actual petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in Kuwait marine area, it was observed that current contamination level with petroleum hydrocarbons is far less than the LC50 determined in this study suggesting that there isn’t any acute hazard to either fish egg hatching or larva survival.

The richness of my culture is deeply rooted in its history. Its forms change and develop according to the needs of time and place...but its essence is always the same. Its spaces are all defined and limited by boundaries that hold society together and allow development within sets of rules which maintain the general character and the cultural framework of the environment.
Master of Architecture

This thesis explores the current police-community relationships in Kuwait where no previous research on this particular topic is known. Therefore, the overall goal of this thesis is to both describe the current relationship between the Kuwaiti police and the community and, based on the results, provide suitable recommendations to help forge and maintain positive relations. In order to accurately illustrate the current relationship, this thesis utilises three major theoretical concepts: the co-creational approach (relational approach and community theory), systems theory, and social exchange theory. Habermas’s Theory of Communicative Action (TCA) was also discussed to shed light on the power dynamic of the police-community relationship. Although these theories differ in their approach, they present the public relations approach through a shared focal point – relationships, which is the primary focus of this research. In a qualitative approach, twenty-two participants were interviewed and their answers coded and transcribed. Particular attention was paid to the sampling of interview participants through the use of the qualitative sampling techniques of quota and purposive sampling. In the analysis of data, three themes, Faith, Communitarianism, and Optimism represent an important and special context for the public relations theorist. They contribute to our understanding of public relations in the context of Kuwaiti police-community relations. Furthermore, the relational elements of trust, satisfaction, control mutuality and commitment are integrated with the three aforementioned themes. This analytical framework strengthened the analysis by adding a comparative and universal perspective. The main findings of this research are the key attributes affecting the police- community relationship in Kuwait, such as trust, satisfaction, commitment, control, mutuality, and the worldviews through which the participants regard the police: Faith, Communitarianism, and Optimism. Furthermore, the implication of this thesis goes beyond that of the police-community relationship in that country. It also provides a thorough discussion regarding 1) public relations theory and practice, and 2) a thematic analysis of the Kuwaiti police. This thesis adds to public relations theories as it extends the body of knowledge of public relations to a specific context of police public relations in Kuwait. This will help to round-out existing police PR data, especially by adding a Middle Eastern and Arabic perspective to otherwise Western theories (e.g. relational, community, systems and social exchange). Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates how environmental factors (Kuwaiti history, culture and economics) influence organisation-public relations. This thesis explores an essential area for Kuwaiti police that has not been explored before. Through the investigation of interview data, this thesis provides a snapshot of the current police-community relationship, highlighting important issues that are obstacles to a better police-community relationship. The most salient two are (1) police force behaviour, and (2) the organization's communication style. It is recommended that Kuwaiti police should adapt the community policing approach. This thesis proposes that adapting the community policing approach will help to improve behaviour and communication styles by addressing root issues. This adjustment will require the police organisation to adjust its goals and mission so as to become aligned with that of the community's goals and mission.

This study determines the awareness of the Islamic home inance products compared with conventional home financing, as well as clients’ perceptions of home financing, with the National Bank of Kuwait represented as a traditional Bank and the Kuwait Finance House as an example of an Islamic Bank. This comparison is important since it is new in this area and ives the clients an overview about available home finance. In addition, new students can benefit from this study to build on and start from where I finished. The empirical research was conducted utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as a case study and interviews, which is a method known as the triangulation technique. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 clients who had applied for home financing from both banks, using 100 clients from each bank. To sum up, it can be argued that an examination of Islamic banking as symbolized by the Kuwait Finance House has revealed that this type of financial institution has experienced a boom and has been successful in establishing itself as a practical substitute to conventional banking, in spite of what have been seen as authoritarian and nonflexible rules and regulations governing the activities of this type of financial institution. Islamic banks have experienced a boom and have been successful in developing alternative methods for attracting and utilizing funds in money-making outlets, regardless of the fact that they are comparative beginners in the field. Future prospects for the banks are even more promising, as experience is likely to improve the capability of these institutions to compete and to improve their performance.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of managers in Kuwait (both Kuwaiti and non- Kuwaiti) on the effects of multinational corporations (MNCs) in Kuwait and whether these effects were beneficial. The problem motivating this study is the effects that MNCs have on the social, cultural, political, legal, economic, business, and technological environments of their host countries, especially in developing nations. This study is based on a survey of the perceptions of 1,344 managers in Kuwait on the role of MNCs in changes in Kuwait. A review of the literature on MNCs and their relationships with their host countries is provided. This review focuses on four major environmental dimensions (Social-Cultural, Political-Legal, Business-Economic, and Technological) that are affected by MNCs. The factor analysis performed for this study supports this classification of the dimensions in the environment. An English questionnaire was developed from the list of major items in each of these dimensions. An Arabic version was developed using a "double-translation method." Both the English and Arabic versions of the questionnaire were pilot tested. The instrument proved to be reliable and valid. The study utilizes a 2 x 3 block design, categorizing subjects by nationality (Kuwaiti, other Arab, others) and type of organization (public and private). Since most of the variables in the study were measured using nominal and ordinal scales, mostly non-parametric statistics were used for data analysis. The major finding from this study was that managers in Kuwait perceive positive effects of MNCs on change in Kuwait, with the exception of the cultural environment. The favorable perceptions were about the MNCs1 effects on the change in business, economic, and technological environments in Kuwait. The results of the study should be beneficial to the Kuwaiti government, MNCs doing business in Kuwait, and also to cross-cultural researchers interested in the Middle East.

Information technology is constantly changing, and if academic users are to make best use of these resources, they must sustain efficient information-seeking behaviour. This study explores the information-seeking behaviour of graduate students at Kuwait University, and investigates the factors influencing that behaviour. The population also includes faculty members engaged in teaching and supervising graduate students, and academic librarians. Adopting Wilson's information-seeking model (1999) as the theoretical framework, the study identifies factors influencing graduate students' information behaviour and formulates hypotheses that illustrate the relationship between the different variables. The use of this model provides useful insights into determinants of the information-seeking behaviour patterns of students in a multidisciplinary graduate context. The research uses a mixed method approach, comprising questionnaire survey, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Application of the Critical Incident Technique method provided in-depth data about the patterns of information-seeking behaviour of both graduate students and faculty members. Logistic regression revealed that significant factors related to library awareness, information literacy, organisational and environmental issues, source characteristics, and demographics act as determinants of the patterns of students' information-seeking behaviour. Uneasiness on the part of graduate students towards using the library and consulting its personnel reflects a broader negative perception of the role of the library in shaping students' information-searching patterns. The clearest finding that emerged from the analysis of the students' information literacy dimension was that the majority of graduate students still face difficulties in finding the appropriate information resources, particularly when using resources that need advanced search strategies. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed a heavy reliance on the information resources that require least effort (search engines, Internet websites, and personal contacts). Further, results revealed that graduate students are overwhelmed by an information overload, which leads them to become anxious about finding the appropriate information resources. Based on the results of the research, recommendations are made to further explore the information-seeking behaviour patterns of graduate students in order to enhance their information literacy skills. Improving information-seeking behaviour and enhancing the information literacy of students require interventions on various fronts: faculty members, academic librarians, the university administration, and graduate students themselves.

Checkland's soft systems methodology is adapted to investigate and suggest improvements to personnel management in Kuwait libraries. An initial study investigating relevant elements of personnel management in Kuwait, such as motivation, communication, etc., was conducted primarily by interviewing. A model was constructed on this basis to deduce relevant important issues, such as library services and motivation of library staff. These issues were further investigated in a second survey again primarily by interviewing. Because of the Gulf War, a third interview survey then took place to update data and to identify important changes regarding library management. Four activity-based models were then constructed to determine factors relating to the improvement of personnel management in Kuwait libraries and as guides for data analysis, as follows: a system of increasing the supply of competent information workers; a system to enhance communication inside and outside the library; a system which meets users' needs and encourages the use of the library; a system to enhance staff motivation. The conclusion examines possible solutions regarding personnel management problems in Kuwait libraries. In addition, the value of Checkland's soft systems methodology for this kind of analysis is examined.

Kuwait Water Harvesting System Final Report, Submitted To: Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research
Introduction: The potential of water harvesting is sometimes overlooked in areas of low rainfall that is less than 200 mm. However it is precisely in these areas that the value of water is very high making efficient water harvesting economically viable. A water harvesting system is composed of an improved watershed that is made to be more impervious than in its natural state plus a storage reservoir. In this study a computer program was used using Kuwait daily rainfall and evaporation data. The program was used to determine how much water can be produced on a continuous basis using an efficient water harvesting system.

This thesis considers the nature and impact of social change on Kuwaiti Society. It begins by giving a detailed account of the origins of Kuwait Society and its economic, political and social structure before the exploitation of the country's enormous oil resources. This is followed by an equally detailed discussion of the changes in the economic, political and social structure that followed the development of the oil resources. Finally, in the first section, the major changes are outlined and the question is posed as to what effect these changes are likely to have on the values and attitudes of the population of the country. The second section begins with a consideration of some of the problems of measuring potential alienation in a society such as Kuwait and reviews some of the major problems of isolating and defining the relevant concepts. The general conclusion is that the micro-social psychological approach to the problem adopted by American social psychologists in the 1960's is the more fruitful way forward. Using the scales of Struening and Richardson levels of alienation in Kuwait are then measured and the results given. Finally, by the application of new scales specifically developed for this study the major dimensions of alienation are related to the particularities of the social structure of modern Kuwait. The conclusion considers the problems of mounting such an investigation in Kuwait, the substantive findings of the study and it indicates future research possibilities.

This thesis describes an approach to the planning and design of a Kuwaiti community that fosters a return to the value system established by past generations but being neglected in current planning and design concepts. This design approach focuses the specific environmental factors that exist in Kuwait, as well as being concerned with the values of the community. Islamic teachings are built on the concept of unity in creation and purpose. All creatures are created by One and are linked in worshiping the Creator. In the design, all the housing units in the community and the souq develop from the principles of geometry and are linked by unity of purpose. Contemporary architecture and urban structures in Kuwait should not only rely on local physical materials, but also express the valuable principles of Islamic culture. Islam considers each community to be one family, the relationship Islamic community's between architectural individuals.
Master of Architecture

The Kuwaiti government obliged firms to cover part of employee's risks through legislation in 1965 and 1977. Employers should cover risks as death or job injury due to or during work. This had affected the group life insurance (GLI) market. The thesis examines the economics of this market. Problem of choosing the right life table with respect to Kuwaiti mortality rates is tested. The efficiency of using English life tables to estimate mortality rates in Kuwait GLI market is examined. The effects of GLI underwriters on the market are investigated. The Social Security Services (SSS) are offered for Kuwaitis only, Non-Kuwaitis face more economical insecurity than Kuwaitis do. Therefore, the demand for employees' group investment plan to cover future security facing Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti workers, in particular, is also considered. The thesis suggests several methods to solve the problems facing the Kuwait GLI market. Kuwaiti Mortality rates are estimated using data from both the Social Security Association (SSA) and a sample of term group life insurees to be compared with English and American life tables. Methods of avoiding lack of information, adverse selection, and moral hazard in Kuwait GLI market are proposed. Finally, the advantages of introducing group investment plan are examined, and it was shown that these could alleviate SSS problems. Use of group investment plan should reduce the cost of the SSS for Kuwaitis, secure part of Non-Kuwaitis risks, and assist insurers to avoid or reduce their economic problems.

Over the last twenty years, there has been a rapid expansion of Islamic financial institutions that do not deal in interest-based transactions. The financial information of Islamic financial institutions issued in their annual reports is different in certain features from the annual reports offered by conventional financial institutions. This study attempts to investigate the usefulness of annual reports produced by these institutions to investors. In particular, the study is concerned with the perceptions of both institutional investors and customers in Kuwait about the annual reports of Islamic financial institutions. In addition, the study investigates the opinions of the preparers of annual reports of Islamic financial institutions in GCC countries regarding various aspects of the annual reports that could help investors make their investment decisions. To achieve the above objective, two types of questionnaires and interview were designed. The first type of questionnaire was carried out to solicit the investors' perceptions of annual reports, the importance they attached to them and the uses of these reports in their investment activities. The second type of questionnaire was specifically used to investigate the opinions of the preparers of annual reports regarding various aspects of annual reports that could help investors make their investment decisions. The interview method was mainly used to identify the customers' perceptions of Islamic financial institutions in Kuwait about the usefulness of these annual reports. The results of the questionnaire and the interviews indicated that the annual reports are considered by customers and investors to be the main source of information for investment decisions. The results also revealed that the timeliness and credibility of information were perceived by respondents as the most important qualitative characteristics that might affect the usefulness of information sources about the performance of Islamic financial institutions. Regarding the accounting regulation of financial information of Islamic financial institutions, the results indicated that there is a need for accounting information to be regulated in order to enhance the credibility of financial statements produced by these institutions and increase their comparability and transparency to the users.

The research focused on three main themes in the Kuwait society. The first study is developed to measure the differences in the characteristics of the work environment between the public and the private sectors within Kuwait labor force. The study had been conducted on 80 managers of both sexes and 266 employees of both sexes from the public sector, and 80 managers of both sexes and 274 employees of both sexes from the private sector. The results had indicated that according to the combined group (employees and managers, both sexes), the private sector exceeded the public sector regarding: involvement, peer-cohesion, task orientation, work-pressure, clarity, control, innovation and physical-comfort. Only the employees sample showed similar results. By comparing the male employees and the female employees in both sectors, it was clear that males had higher mean scores than females regarding involvement, task orientation, work-pressure, clarity, and control. Also, the results of the manager group is consistent with the combined group (both employees and managers, both sexes). However, the comparison between the male managers and female managers in both sectors indicated that, involvement, staff-support, clarity, control, innovation, and physical-comfort were higher in males than their females counterparts. The second study is designed to clarify any differences in personality traits between male and female Kuwaiti managers. The study has been conducted on 150 male and 150 female managers from Kuwait society. The results showed few differences between male and female managers. It was clear that males were more lively or enthusiastic and more imaginative than females. While, females were more depressive (as a personality characteristic) or apprehensive than male managers. The third study is concerned with the status profile of Kuwaiti women during the oil era (1946-1960) and developing period (1960-1985) regarding her social, educational, and vocational status. So, regarding work environment, work in the private sector was more likely to be seen as high in the involvement factor, more concerned with the work's regulations, conscientious, and more likely to remain and conform to the organization's disciplinary systems, more committed to new styles and modern systems in their jobs to achieve their targets, and they were more interested with their work place, than their public staff counterparts. Also, the private sector is often seen as an efficient and productive work sector in comparison with the public sector. Regarding the personality traits, Kuwaiti male managers appear to be more enthusiastic and lively with strong and imaginative personality traits. However, the Kuwaiti female managers appear to have strong apprehensive personality traits.

Because computer use become more and more important in the educational environment, the attitudes of students toward computer may play an important role in their learning success. This study investigated the attitudes toward computers and gender differences of sixth-grade Kuwaiti students and examined the relationships between students’ attitudes toward computers and school, motivation/persistence, study habits, empathy, creative tendencies, and achievement in the Informatics field. The Computer Attitude Questionnaire (CAQ), translated from the English into Arabic Language for this study, was originally developed by Knezek and Miyashita for the Texas Center for Educational Technology (University of North Texas). The CAQ was administered to a random cluster sample of 10 public middle schools: (5 boys’ and 5 girls’ schools), with a total of 562 students, (265 boys and 297 girls), in the State of Kuwait during the academic year 1999-2000. The pilot test was conducted to calculate the reliability with Cronbach’s alpha = .87 for the CAQ Arabic version. This study found positive attitudes toward computer use (mean = 3.31 on 4-point Likert-scale); however, girls had significantly more positive attitudes toward computers (mean = 3.36) than did boys (mean = 3.26). It also found statistically significant correlations between attitudes toward computers and school (r. = .149), motivation/persistence (r. = .459), study habits (r. = .371), empathy (r. = .308), creative tendencies (r. = .530), and achievement in the Informatics field (r. = .201). A statistically significant gender difference was found in the correlations between attitudes toward computers and empathy. Girls had a stronger correlation (r. = .405) than boys (r. = .215). This study also found that students who use computers at home (mean = 3.40) have more positive attitudes toward computers than did students who do not (mean = 3.22). The main conclusion of the current study is that students like to use computers, therefore, the researcher suggests that computer should be introduced for the students in the classrooms environment and to be integrated into the curriculum of all subject areas.

This study investigated Kuwait food system. Firstly the current dietary consumption of a representative sample of the Kuwaiti population was assessed. Secondly the effects of the 1990 Gulf war on Kuwait's food and nutrition system were investigated. The major part of this study was a National Diet and Nutrition Survey of people aged 20 to 65 years, which is the largest and most detailed survey ever undertaken of the diet and nutritional status of adult people in Kuwait. A food frequency questionnaire was delivered to 491 subjects (response rate 81.8%, 278 female and 213 male). In addition, a sample of 383 (response rate 207 female and 176 male) were interviewed using a 24 hour recall method. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive cross-sectional picture of the dietary habits and nutritional status of the population of Kuwait. The energy and nutrient intakes in the survey were compared with the US RDA.

This study investigated Kuwait food system. Firstly the current dietary consumption of a representative sample of the Kuwaiti population was assessed. Secondly the effects of the 1990 Gulf war on Kuwait's food and nutrition system were investigated. The major part of this study was a National Diet and Nutrition Survey of people aged 20 to 65 years, which is the largest and most detailed survey ever undertaken of the diet and nutritional status of adult people in Kuwait. A food frequency questionnaire was delivered to 491 subjects (response rate 81.8%, 278 female and 213 male). In addition, a sample of 383 (response rate 207 female and 176 male) were interviewed using a 24 hour recall method. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive cross-sectional picture of the dietary habits and nutritional status of the population of Kuwait. The energy and nutrient intakes in the survey were compared with the US RDA.
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Health Sciences
Full Text

This study was aimed at understanding the use of technology in early childhood school and home settings as well as its impact on students' social and language development, specifically with children aged four to seven from two schools (Kindergarten and elementary) in Kuwait. The study followed a qualitative design in which the interpretative approach was applied. Non-participant observations were conducted to gather data concerning the actual use of technology in the classrooms, they were followed by interviews with teachers and a group of parents from each classroom. The study used Vygotsky's social development theory as a framework for the analysis of data. The analysis showed limitations in the use of technology in the classroom; teachers identified a need for training to increase their knowledge about how to integrate technology into instruction. Also, the limited availability of up-to-date technology was viewed as a challenge. Teachers and parents agreed that the use of technology may foster social and language development for most students, on the condition that their use is supervised and guided by an adult. However, they also perceived that technology could have a negative impact on the development of students' social development, an area that requires further investigation.

Online journalism has brought new features of journalism practices for local journalists and forced the expansion of their freedom. The Internet as a whole became the tool for freedom of expression for many suppressed countries, and online journalism became an alternative for press freedom in cyberspace. The diffusion of information enabled more opportunities for freedom of expression and speech prosperity, leading to a higher level of freedom in local press. This research project aims to examine the effect of online journalism on the freedom of the local press in the state of Kuwait. Since mid 1990s, when the Internet was introduced in Kuwait, a new phenomenon of press freedom started to rise. After many decades of relying heavily on local newspapers and controlled radio and TV, many Kuwaitis switched to the Internet to obtain information, news and political analysis. The political dispute of power after the death of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on 15 of January 2006, followed by the public demand to change the electoral constituencies voting system of the National Assembly, and the dissolving of the National Assembly in May 2006 forced many Kuwaitis to go online to get the latest news and analysis regarding the two issues. Kuwaiti online journalism became the source for instant updated information during the disputes. Many local writers praised their work on local press. Mohammad Abdul Qader Al-Jasim, a columnist and former editor in chief for Alwatan local newspaper, in his online Web site ‘Meezan’, provided non-censored detailed analysis of these situations without any restrictions or fear of government interference which was considered as a taboo “red line” no one was permitted to cross. The researcher used three different tools (survey, online content analysis, and interviews) to determine the effect of online journalism on journalist’s practices and the freedom of the press in Kuwait, focusing on the most popular Kuwaiti personal writers’ sites, weblogs and forums. The results show that online journalism affected journalist’s practices but did not replace the traditional practices. The Internet became a source and communication platform for many local journalists. At the same time, online journalism became one of the tools that helped increase the level of freedom in the local press. The language of online journalism took a different direction from the local press with more freedom to write, discuss, and share ideas online with less fear of government retribution. What was considered a taboo “red line” in the local press became an acceptable “green line” online. Local press officials recognized this effect on the local freedom, but disagree on the factors that really caused the freedom of the local press to increase.

This study examines the traits and characteristics of entrepreneurial leaders within the Kuwaiti context, by drawing from the different but related leadership and entrepreneurship theories. We first identified several areas where these fields theoretically converge with an emphasis on traits, styles and behavioural characteristics, which led to the emergence of a new leadership paradigm herein referred to as ‘entrepreneurial leadership’. Entrepreneurial leadership is conceptualised as a process of social influence, transformation, and empowering in rapidly changing and uncertain contexts. We operationalised the construct of entrepreneurial leadership by identifying the key traits and characteristics of Kuwait’s private sector leaders. These traits and characteristics included the leaders’ values and beliefs, vision, proactivity, creativity and innovation, opportunity-seeking and risk-taking. The study adopted a predominantly positivist ontology and objective epistemology in order to better understand the phenomenon under investigation (i.e. entrepreneurial leadership). This necessitated obtaining data largely from surveys of 345 leaders, mainly from the financial banking and investment sectors of Kuwait, complemented by qualitative data from 12 interviews. The study provides important insights into the concepts related to entrepreneurial leadership in a non-Western environment and enriches our knowledge in this sector of the management field. The research contributes to knowledge on leadership in Kuwait by conceptualizing a model of entrepreneurial leadership, which places emphasis on leaders’ traits and characteristics and how that relates with leadership effectiveness. The implications of the research relate closely to the way in which companies must be managed or led in a global and competitive environment.

Daylight has a deteriorating effect on the museum objects. For this reason, usually museums totally block the daylight. This research is the part of restoration works of Kuwait National Museum (KNM), which was destroyed during the Gulf War in 1990. The purpose of this research is to investigate the lighting performance of the top lighting and side shading devices in KNM. This research will cover daylighting systems for Building 3 and 4 of the KNM. Daylighting systems are evaluated by using the scale model and Desktop RADIANCE, a lighting simulation program. This research will present how to make use of daylight in museum buildings while protecting museum objects from the harmful portion of daylight.

The thesis explores the relationship, or assumed relationship between nomadic tribalism and the stateless group in Kuwait. While exploring this issue, the thesis also examines state formation and tribalism throughout the history of Kuwait. By exploring what the author calls, "
Pan-Tribalism,"
the thesis also explores assumed cross-border linkages, and perceptions of loyalty, or disloyalty among various groups in Kuwait. The thesis includes research on the history of Kuwait because it reveals early tribal dynamics. The thesis uncovers the roots of certain historical issues and power structures that exist today - as all of this is related to citizenship and statelessness. The thesis takes a close look at the impact of oil on state-formation both due to the mass influx of immigrants that oil wealth caused, as well as the welfare/distributive state policy that emerged afterwards. Both of these issues directly affected citizenship. Additionally, it thus explores internal oil politics rather an international oil politics

The criminal responsibility of a minister is provided for in Article 132 of the Kuwaiti constitution, by giving the parliament the power to issue a law for the trial of ministers. This law will define the potential ministerial offences; the procedures to be followed as well as the court authorised to undertake the trial of ministers. The aim of this study is to investigate the constitutionality and applicability of the law of trial of ministers in Kuwait, and the extent to which this law has been influenced by the laws of criminal trial ofministers in other jurisdictions in particular French and Egyptian Law.To reach that end this study will first discuss the growth and development of criminal responsibility in both the Kuwaiti law and the other similar jurisdictions. The study will then discuss the ministerial crime, before investigating the p~ocedures to make a criminal case against a minister. Then the body authorised with the investigation in case a minister commits a crime while on duty will be discussed, besides the formation of the ministerial court and the authority of this court.

The objectives of this study were to explore the levels of job satisfaction among nurses working in Kuwait hospitals, to identify those factors that influence the level of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction among these nurses, and to suggest solutions and recommendations for the nurses and the authorities in the Ministry of Health. A questionnaire and a series of interviews with nurses and managers were conducted. Data were collected from 436 nurses out of the sample of 500 in the 5 general government hospitals, representing the 5 health regions. Results showed that respondents over the age of 30 were significantly more satisfied than those below 30. The small number of Kuwait and non-Kuwaiti Arabs registered the highest levels of satisfaction, the Indians less and the Filipino were the least satisfied. Respondents who earned 200 KD or less were more satisfied than respondents in the other categories. Respondents who lived in the country for more than 6 years were more satisfied than those who had worked there for less. Interviews with nurses revealed several issues such as poor salaries, low respect from some doctors and some patients, and unhelpful nursing managers. In the Interviews with managers there was an awareness of all the issues. This awareness was not confined to the directors because they had all made some attempts to inform the ministry. From is part the ministry of Health had promised that it would try to find ways to solve such issues.

In the aftermath of the Islamic resurgence movement, the call for the abolition of interest and the introduction of profit and loss sharing schemes gained momentum. Islamic writers have concentrated on describing the operations of an Islamic bank in an interest based economy and others have outlined the principles and functions of the Islamic economy. However there has not yet been a comprehensive study dealing with the implications of abolishing interest in a specific country. Therefore the major objective of this thesis is to examine the possible introduction of interest free banking in Kuwait, its implications, operations, advantages and diyantages. It also focuses upon the transformation process necessary to bring about these required changes. The first chapter presents an overview of the Islamic economic system and its underlying principles; these are the cornerstone for any transformation from the conventional economic system to a new Islamic system. The second chapter focuses on Islamic banking, its methodology, objectives and main operations in theory and practice. The third chapter deals with the main features of the Kuwait economy. An emphasis is put upon the existing banking system and the role of the central bank in conducting its interest-based monetary policy. The thesis then describes the changes required in the current financing instruments employed by Kuwaiti banks in order to adapt to a new Islamic system. In this respect it is assumed that the current banking structure will remain intact. Stress is placed upon the changes required in the short, medium and long-term financing instruments used domestically. The central bank's changing role and the monetary policy implications of a new Islamic system are also analysed. The final chapter summarises the findings and recommendations of the thesis and the advantages and disadvantages of interest free banking with reference to Kuwait.

Kuwait benefitted from positive oil shocks in 1973-74 and 1979-80 but also suffered from a protracted negative oil shock from 1982 to 1988. We analyse the impact of these shocks on the Kuwaiti economy with the help of the real Dutch disease model which we first adapt to better reflect Kuwait's institutional characteristics. We do this by relaxing three key assumptions upon which the model is based. These are: (i) the oil shock is permanent and therefore all income is consumed; (ii) capital and labour are fixed in total supply and homogenous; and (iii) the oil income accrues directly to households. Oil shocks also have monetary effects and the monetary Dutch disease model is also based on restrictive assumptions in addition to those pertaining to the real model. It is assumed that money is the only asset (financial or real) and that changes in the trade balance are the only source of changes in money supply under a fixed exchange rate regime. We relax these assumptions to allow for the monetary effects of fiscal policy, bank credit creation and the presence of domestic (nontradable) financial assets. After modifying the Dutch disease models to reflect the salient features of the Kuwaiti economy we use the resulting theoretical framework to analyse annual data for the period 1973 to 1988. The analytical approach of this study relies on the definition and measurement of quantity and relative price indices in line with the theoretical concepts in the Dutch disease literature. It seeks to improve on the methodologies used in previous studies. In the case of monetary effects this study goes beyond the traditional Dutch disease approach and explains the emergence and collapse the bubble in land and local share prices. We distinguish between five aggregates which comprehensively cover the components of GDP. These are: oil, tradables, private sector nontradables, public sector nontradables and public sector nonmarketables. We show that, contrary to the predictions of the real mode1.but in line with our extended theoretical framework, the output oftradables rose ) faster than that of private sector nontradables or public sector nonmarketables since it benefitted from subsidies (both direct and indirect) as well as from the influx of immigrant workers and capital. Using data on employment by sector we show that the unit cost in each sector reflects the employment pattern in that sector. We then analyse the impact of the oil shocks on investment and show that construction was more tradable than private sector nontradables. While the construction boom effect was weak, the property boom was significant. Data on land prices show that they rose sharply between 1980 and 1982 reflecting the impact of the second oil shock. The rapid growth in economic activity and bank credit following the two positive oil shocks increased the demand for nontradable domestic assets such as real estate and equity leading to an asset price bubble.

This thesis examines Anglo-Kuwaiti patron-client relations between 1957-1963 using substantial archival material from Britain and the United States. The thesis has contributed to the literature of Anglo-Kuwaiti relations and to the theory of international clientelism. The theoretical model was applied to both primary and secondary source material linked to Anglo-Kuwaiti relations. This combined with a traditional diplomatic historical approach to the thesis, produced a number of conclusions and highlighted a number of themes that dominated Anglo-Kuwaiti relations. The themes that dominated the actors in this period included the increased internationalisation of the Gulf, the importance of Kuwaiti oil and sterling deposits to Britain, Arab nationalism and the influence of Nasser, the problem of over-flying rights, strategic concerns, Cold War tensions, the decline in British power and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Another important theme explored throughout the thesis is Kuwait's emerging statehood, implemented by the al-Sabah by the joining of Kuwait to various international organisations. Insecurity often evoked foreseeable policy responses from the client, and many actions of other states produced likely, if not always predictable, reactions of both patron and client. The model of clientelism gave substance to these decisions. In the case of the client, Kuwait, goals of internal autonomy with external security were both expected and observed. The c1ientelist model depicted clearly Anglo-Kuwaiti relations. The principle argument of the thesis developed from the contention that patrons facing a decline in power in the international system use clientelism to bolster their economic position. But a reduction in asymmetry of power with the client ensures that the relationship declines. In the case of Britain and Kuwait, as British power declined, its interests in Kuwait became more economic and financial than political and strategic. In a broader context a transformation of this s011 is generally to be looked for as a great power declines.

The Kuwaiti economy has witnessed remarkable changes especially since the oil boom in the 1970s. Kuwait is one of the world's richest countries in terms of GNP per capita (WBA, 1997). However, the country has hitherto been entirely dependent on oil exports and as petroleum prices increased during the 1 970s, imports also increased. The government undertook a major industrial development program (such as manufacturing industries including cement and other building material, petrochemicals, plastic products and boats). With Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in the early 1 990s, much of the infrastructure of the country was ruined. Post-war Kuwait faced serious problems including shortages of food, fresh water, and electricity, oil well fires and the resulting environmental damage. It is vital for Kuwait to have a thriving and efficient financial system that helps meet the country's developmental and investment targets. The country has two types of financial institutions Islamic and conventional, both of which exist side by side. Both types of institutions take part in investing in the country to improve the infrastructure and industrial base of the economy. Therefore, a successful financial system can only bode well for the country as a whole. In this study, we evaluate the performance of Islamic banks by analyzing their financial indicators and comparing them with those of conventional, commercial banks. This will lead to a better appreciation of advantages and disadvantages of Islamic banking institutions, as well as their efficiency as compared to that of the conventional banks. For this purpose we conduct a case study of the Kuwait Finance House, which runs its activities according to Islamic principles, and also the National Bank of Kuwait, which is the leading conventional bank in Kuwait - comparing and assessing their structure and performance. Both case studies are carried out by examining the differences in their respective internal and external environments and the way they affect financial behavior; our hypotheses are: (1) Islamic financial institutions are on par with traditional (commercial) banking institutions in securing funds; (2) Islamic financial institutions are on par with traditional (commercial) banking institutions in performance and efficiency. (3) Clients' religious attitudes are not the only (or primary) reason behind the success of such institutions in securing funds; (4) legal restrictions imposed on such institutions do not constitute an obstacle against their ability to compete in the tough financial market. In the light of the above evaluation, the nature of the difference in the framework of assets and liabilities between the two types of banks is discerned. We also seek an understanding of the effect of the difference in the nature of revenues earned by both types of institutions - on its framework and management.